Railroad-crossing.



J. H. BRUMBAGK.

' RAILROAD CROSSING.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18. 1910.

986,356. Patehted Mar."Z,1911.

"v sums-slips: 1

2 Z 3 l q f I l 1 d I M n I I 1L L62] 2 i l0 J. H. BRUMBACK.

RAILROAD CROSSING.

APPLIIJATIOX IILBD NOV.18, 1910. 986 356 Patented Mar. 7, 1911.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

, 3macntor V J I attorneys J. H. BRUMBAGK.

RAILROAD CROSSING;

APPLICATION FILED 11017.18, 1910.

Patented M21127, 1911.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

J. H. BRUMBACK.

RAILROAD cmssme.

v APPLIUATION FILED NOV. 18, 1910. 986,356 Patented Mar. 7, 1911 5 SHEETS HEET 4.

3 nventor witnesses I M flit? form of the invention. Fig.- 8'

301m H. BnUMBAcK, or

STBASBIIRG, VIRGINIA.

- nairnoamc'nossme.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed flovember 18, 1910. Serial-No. 593,105.

The'ob 'ect in View Is the arrangementpf improved means designed to be actuated the wheels of trains approaching the crossing for moving supporting members at the crossing where the rails are cut for forming acontinuous rail. v

- lVith these and otherfobjects in view -the invention comprises certain novel construetions, combinations, and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan View of a crossing embodyingthe invention, certain parts being broken. away. Fig. 2' is a section through Fig, 1 on line 22. Fig. 3 is a section through Fig. 11 on line 33. Fig. 4 is a section'through. Fig. 1 on line 4-4. .Fi 5 is a top plan view of an'embodimento the invention, the

tracks and flange-operated members being; shown in dotted lines. Fig. 6 is a .detail..-.- fragmentary-sectional view of a slightly:- mod-ified form of the invention. Fig. ,7 is a}. top plan view of another slightly modified,

through Fig. .7 on line 8 -18. 9 is a top 5,; plan view-of ,afurther modifiedform of the invention, certain parts being" broken away.

Fig. 10 is asection through Fig. 9 online 10-10. V Fig. '11 is a'detail fragmentary sec.- tional view on line 11-11 of Fig; 9. I In constructing a crossin device embodying the invention a. blocl; or supporting member is arranged to bee'ither held normally or to be ralsed'fiush with the top of: the track and to occupy notches or cut out portions therein usually provided for accommodating the flang s of, the wheels. These supporting membersaredesigned to be quickly and automatically removed from is a section the path of movement of any of the flanges rection across the crossing. At the same tlme that the supporting means is automatically removed in front of the flanges, the

supporting means directly in the athof.

' Patented Mar. 7, 1911 I of the wheels ofa train moving in eitherdi- I movement of the body of the whee is rigidly held in position, so as to form a con; A tinuous, unbroken track for the Wheels as'the f same pass over the crossing. In one form of my invention a pair-oi operatmg bars and a plurality of connect;

mg mechanisms, together with retractile springs, are used for causing the supporting members to be raised to their proper position at the proper time, and to be retracted or brought to their normal position when not in use. If desired pivotally ino'lmted supporting means may be used and springs for normally maintainin the same in osihon. Either the pre erred oi? mo ified ,forms of the device may be used, but in any event the means are. designed to cause.

a track to present an even surface for the passage of the wheels .thereover, regardless of whetheror not the same main line or the cross line. I

' In order that the invention may be more clearly understood an embodiment of the same is shown in the accompanying drawing's, in which- 1 indicates the rails of 2 the, rails of the cross line. The cross line rails 2 arecut; at 3 for permitting the pitssage of the fi nge of the wheels of cars on' main line rails l, whilemain line rails 1 are cut at 4 for fpermittin the free passage of the flanges o the whee s, of cars onthe cross line rails 2. The opening-3 is desied'to be filled by a su orting bar' 5, gdfiie the opening a is fill d yby-su portinsg' -bar 6. These supporting barsaan 6 are normally moved to their raised p sition as shownfin 1111 lines in Fig. 4., and are held in their upper position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 4, when a trainis passing over the respective rails. The supporting bar- 5 is held, in a raised position .when a train is? passing over the rails of the cross road while supporting bar -ti-isheld in a raised;

pass over the l the main line, and

their raised position the supporting bars 51 and Gare moved totheir lowered position-I,

by spring 7 more clearly shown in-Fig;

' The supporting bars 5 and 6 are lowered respectively by springs 7 upon the depress: in of flan e engaging bars 8, 9, 10 and 11 1V en the l anges of the wheels of cars mving over rails 1 engage either of the bars 8 or 9 supporting bar will'be and held in a depressed position,.so as to form a continuous unbroken rail for the cars and a free passage for the flange of the wheel. The same action is,'.oi course, true in respect to railv 2 and associated means for raising b21115; When the flanges of the wheels of the cars are removed from any of the bars 8 9, 10 or; 11 the respective bars are moved immediately to a raise'dpoi sition, whichwil-l cause the immediate rais-' ing of the supporting bars .5 and 6 to their raised or normal position." A car eomin' from any direction toward the crossing wil operate one of the flange enga lower one of the bars 5 or 6 61' forming a continuous rail in front of the ear; and will cause the lowering of the other supporting bar. The supporting hare is positioned 1 loosely in opening-3, but is moved to a low fired position -as soon, as released, by spring gages the same for raising the supporting bar to an elevated position wheneyer flange bars 10 and 11 are raised pivotally mounted 13 and 14 are moved to supporting pawls and engage notched out ward each other portions 15 and ing the same in an elevated'position as long as flange bars 10 and 11 are in a raised position. Suitable springs 17an'd'18 are provided for normally'tending to force toward each other the pawls 13 and 14, so as to in stantly move intothe notched out porti 15 and 16 when the rectrhctile cables 19 a. i 20 are released. Gahles lQ' and 20 are wound upon ournal members 21' and 22, "so that when the ournal meinlders are turned in one direction pawils of notches 15- and 16 and when moved in the opposite direction vthe pawls will be per;

I mitted to freely entei' i'iotches. 15 and 16;.

. with crank arm 24. is a link 26 connected together at Journal members 21 and rails 2. and have secured. .thereto prank arn' 's 23 and 24, Pivotally connected with era-gilt armf23 is" a link '25.,and'pivotally Links and 26 are .pivotally 27 so that whenever the pivotal connection 27- is raised or lowered"'movement will be conveyed to journal members 21 and 22 for a rocking or partially rotatingfthe "same. 00m

heated to links 2 5 and 26 at 27 is a power link 28 which is pivotally' onnected at 29: to flange bar Sjso that whenever flange oar Sis. depressed link'28 wi ll he moved longitudinally in adownward direction, for p11 1: ing downwardly on links and 26.; "This will rotate journal members 21 and 22 so as depressed ing bars and v A resilient or. spring arm 12 loosely enraised. As soon as the 1.6 of bar 5' for rigidly'hold 11 and 12 willhe niovedout 22 are journaled 1";

-- ciat-ed with arm to pull upon pawls 13. and i l from notches 15 and 16. As soon as this is done bar 5 will be moved to'iits lower position by spring 7.: In order to operate link 28 9, aswell as bar 8, the same are connected together by a connecting bar-30 and a plurality of associated moving parts These moving parts comprise a plurality of journals 31 and 32 each of which. istormed with arms 33 and-3et Arms 33 arepivotally conneoted tobartldwhile arms 34.- are each connected to a link 35. Links 35 are in turn pivotally connected withhfiange bars 8 and 9 -5 respectively flange bars is depressedthe' links 35 will be moved in a downward direct-ion and transis conveyed to bar 30 through, shafts 31 and 32 respectively, and the respective. arms 33 for moving'si'ihstantially longitudinally the bar-30. From this it will be evident that when either of the flange hars'S or 9 is do for operating .mechanism heretofore set forth for releasing bar 5 lay-pulling pawls 3. and

anally in. a raised position by suitable springs 36 and 3-7. These springs, opposition to spring- 7, but are suffic ently strong to easily overcome spring 7 and main tain all of the bars 8, 9, 10 and 11; and also passing over-the rails of the track.

. Bar 11 haseonneeted therewith a pivotal I lin'kIiS which is also pivotally connected $9 to ale'ver 4O pivotally mounted at 41 upon mile 3 or mounted any desired. way. Lever ill-has loosely pivoted thereto at 4 an amt- 13' preferably som e wliat. resili ent, 43 ispivota-lly mounted at 4:4: to one of rails Elso that whenever link. depre pivotal point ifiwill he raised and em v of arm 43 will be lowered. The rox .rse

the ed bar 11 is elevated by springs 36 and. 37 pivhtal."po-int -will he trill he raised." End loosely mounted be'tiveenhrackets 4:6 rigidly secured to sup elevated position. Main line with a resilient arm 43" same is also par 5 in an rails 1 areprovided similar to arm 43 and the eluted with parts i 4.3, and therefore will need no further" description; the same acting to elevate the supporting bar in a similar by the depression. of bar 'so'that whenever either of the mit movement to arms 34:, which movement of course, act in supporting liars 5 and G, in, a n elevated position until operated by the-flange of a train a suitable braeket connoctedwith one of the action of course will be true so that. when lowered and end 45 1 portingbar figeo that when end is raised identical to the parts asso' cables 19 and 20 for removing" ressed link "38 willhe moved downwardly 14 out of engagement therevtithrf The bars 8, 9, 10 and 11' are all held nor-- lot Arm

' The piyotally mounted manner to the way supporting bar 6 is elevated.

merely duplicated for the other rail, "both mechanisms operating independently of each other. The mechanisms are arranged so that lthe flange bars are normally in'an elevated' position, and the su porting bars 5 and 6 are normally in an e evated osition;

When a train passes over the tracks in either direction the mechanism on the trackover which the train passes is operated for lower- 1 ing the supporting barwhich is in the way ofthe flanges of said train, and as soon as the 7, train has passedthe lowered supportin bar is immediately raised and also the ange operated bars are raised. In mounting the flange operated bars 8, 9, 1 0 and 11 the same are provided with guiding members 47, which permit only an up' and down movement in order to cause a proper motion to be imparted to the various journal members and other moving parts. These iding members, if desired, may be omitte at the ends of the flange bars nearest the crossing as the flange bars may be made to act as a guide one or the other.

In Fig. '6 is disclosed a slightly modified form of the invention in which is disclosed same function as supporting bars 5 and 6,

F but to be mounted pivotally on a supporting journal 49, which journal is held in place in 1 an deslred manner, preferably by being connected with the rails of the track; A flat spring is secured in position in any-desired manner, and bears against the under surface of the base 52 of support 48, and is designed to return support 48 to its normal upright position, after having been forced therefrom by the flange of the wheel. This form of supporting bar normally fills the notch or opening rat thecrossing, .and remains in an upright position at all times, excet when moved from that position by the ange of a wheel mounted on either of the crossing tracks.

In Figs. 7 and 8 is disclosed a further modified form of the invention in which supporting bars 53 and 54 are provided which have the same function as supporting bars 5 and 6. Supporting bar 54 is pivotally V mounted upon a journal 55, while supporting bar 53 is pivotally mounted upon a journal 56. ,Journals 55 and 56 are awls 13 and 14 shown as supported by a bracket 57, but it will be evident that they may be supported by a plurality of brackets or in any other desired manner for sustaining properly the weight exerted thereon. Sup-- porting bar 53 is provided with a projection 58 which has connected therewith springs 59 and 60 arranged in opposition. Spring 59 is connected with bracket 61, and sprin 60 is connected with bracket 62. Springs 59 and 60 are of the same strength and are balanced so a'sto normally hold supporting bar 53 in a vertical position, but permit the same to be easily moved to one side by the flange of .a wheel passing over rails 2'. \Vhen a train passes over rails'l' support 54 will be moved to one side and support 53 willremain upright, so as to present a continuous track surface for the wheels of the train. Supporting bar 54 is constructed and provided with similar springs and associated parts as su rtin bar 53 and will therefore need no a itiona description.

In Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive is showna form of the invention somewhat similar to'that shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Referring more particularly'to these figures, 63 and 64 indicate supporting bars pivotally mounted on suitable ournal bars 65 and 66. Each of a the supporting bars 63 and 64 is formed with shouldered portions 67 designed to rest against supports 68 and 69 when considerable pressure is 69 have the upper ends formed arc-shaped with the-center of the are at a point coinrought to bear onthe respective \members 63 and 64. The members 68 and cident with the center of the respective jour- I nals 65and 66, so that the members 63 and a supporting bar 48 designed to have the 64 may easily turn upontheir journals, and yetslidingly engage the supports 68 and 69. The arrangement of the shouldered 67 and the supports 68 and 69 is o considrtions erable importance as these means practically I take all the strain ofi of the journals 65 and 66 when a train passes over the respective members 63 and 64. In construct- -'ing the members 63 and 64 the same are preferably formed almost circular in shape at the bottom part 70, to which is secured suitable cables 71 connected .with suitable springs 72 which normally hold the respective members 63 and 64 in the osition shown in Fig. 9. The crossing is a so provided preferably with a base plate. 73 for acting as a suitable support for the ends of the rails, and for the members 68 and 69.

In addition to plate 73, which is preferably constructed of metal,'the re are also a plurality of plates '74 arranged'to almost con tact with the portions 70 of members 63 and 64, so as to protect the operating parts of the device, and prevent foreign matter from passing to the lower parts of" the device. v v

Unit claim is: l. in a supporting her orgiecugeo 1n fish opening at the crossing of rails, each of said,

suppm-tiug hers losing fOllHQii" *ith a shoul-- del' portion, means arranged to engage said shoulder portion for supporting the hairs anti assisting the bars in resisting It vertical ptessure, and means for normally maintaining said supporting tJfLIS a vertical position.

'52. In a device of the character described, a, supporting her argsngecl ineach. flange opening at the ems m of mils, means for pi'votally supporting" the some, a pair of .7 ret-l aotile springs for noru'iullyliolding the her in a vertical position and yieldihgly re sisoing the pivotal movement of the bill, and a pair of bracing supporting nefizbersem gaging the s uppoi'ting barter holding the .smue 111 an elevated. position against a. Ver- 3. In a device of the character described, a supportingbar arranged in each. flange opening at the crossing of rails, means for normally holding the supporting her with theupper end flush with said rails, a flange operated ba r, a plurality of leversconnecting 'sa icl flange operated bin and said support ing bar for ouusiz'ig ssiclsupporting bar to be relezise cl when the flanges oi the Wheels of a, train. press against said flange bar, a

syncing for moving said supporting bar so that the up iep end oi the some Wlll be below th uppei Sui-race of said rail and m such 'e a position as to leave the flange opening unobstructed and retraotile means acting on said flange, oars for movingthe same book to their original position when the flanges of the wheels oi the train passing thereover hm'eheen I'BIl'iDVfid.llhEITBfIOIIL In a device ot the character described,

a supporting bar. arranged in each flange opening at the crossing of railsimeeils for normally holding saiot supporting bars in an elevated position for filling sald opening, a flange operated bsr means for connecting said flange operated. bar andsixid.

first mentioned meensfor causing said: first mentioned means to release said supporting bars when the flanges of the wheels ofo train press against said flange bar-,and

V 55 my sigriatul .means for moving said supporting bats for leovlng said opening unobstructed When the 

